TULSA, Okla. – Like many poker rooms across the U.S., Cherokee Casino Resort is no stranger to the women of poker. Just as women are taking main event seats in poker tournaments across the globe, a handful of local ladies are making their names known at Cherokee Casino. Kim Benzel, Debbie Inman and Deborah Hale are the first female members of Team Cherokee, an elite group of poker players at Cherokee Casino, and are quickly climbing the poker ranks on a local and national level.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of Team Cherokee,” said Kim Benzel, Team Cherokee member. “As women, we all worked very hard to get on the team. It’s different playing against men, a more aggressive level, and it’s still a 10 to one ratio of men to women in the poker room. But you’re starting to see more and more women playing tournaments, and for the three of us to make Team Cherokee at the same time is really something.”
Team Cherokee started at Cherokee Casino two years ago. The casino holds quarterly qualifying tournaments, and the top point earners, based on buy-in amounts and place rankings, are sent by Cherokee Casino to poker tournaments across the nation.
“Team Cherokee was created to further the playing field for our players here at Cherokee Casino. It’s an exciting ordeal to be a member of Team Cherokee and play in the bigger tournaments here and across the U.S. I’m excited that women are increasing the competition. These three ladies are a great addition to Team Cherokee,” said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casinos.
“I’m proud to represent Cherokee when I play across the country - Tunica, Vegas and California. I tell everyone that’s where I play and how nice it is. It’s lots of fun to travel and play in bigger tournaments under the Cherokee name,” said Debbie Inman, Team Cherokee member.
Inman is one of the first ladies to enter Team Cherokee, and she is also the first female member of Team Cherokee to place in the money at a Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge main event. Inman placed eighth in the SNPC V main event, winning more than $17,000. The tournament was held in November 2008.
“It’s quite an honor to be one of the first women to enter Team Cherokee. When I first started playing poker about three years ago, I was intimidated as heck walking into the poker room. But since then I’ve made so many friends; people are so welcoming. One of the great things about being on Team Cherokee is the support you receive while playing. After I won in the main event in this last Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge, I received a standing ovation. It made me feel great,” said Inman.
For these three women, playing poker is their pastime, and playing in a sport of men is just part of the game.
“Cherokee Casino is my home away from home, and I’ve made a lot of friends there, my poker buddies as I like to call them. I don’t get intimidated by men, not even if Scotty Nguyen were sitting at the table. It’s just cards; it’s how you play and how you read them,” said Deborah Hale, Team Cherokee member.
To be a member of Team Cherokee, guests can earn points by playing in daily, weekly or monthly tournaments. The next Team Cherokee trip is to the 2009 World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this April.
Team Cherokee members just competed for seats in the 2009 Oklahoma State Championship of Poker, which begins Feb. 5 at Cherokee Casino Resort and runs through Feb. 16. The tournament consists of 24 events, including No Limit Hold ‘em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 6-Handed No Limit Hold ‘em, Ladies No Limit Hold ‘em, Triple Draw and Stud Hi-Lo. Buy-ins range from $120 to $3,150.
For more information about Cherokee Casino and Team Cherokee, visit www.CherokeeCasino.com or call (800) 760-6700.